Electric shaver with trimmer



Dec. 13, 1966 F. J. SCHUESSLER 3,290,774

' ELECTRIC SHAVER WITH TRIMMER Filed June 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

Dec. 13, 1966 F. J. scHuEssLER 329,774

ELECTRIC SHAVER WITH TRIMMER Filed June 1'7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR United States Patent 3,290,774 ELECTRIC SHAVER WITH TRIMMERFrancis J. Schuessler, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Sunbeam Corporation,Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 17, 1964, Ser. No.375,787 2 Claims. (Cl. 30-34.1)

The .present invention relates to an electric shaver with means to trimsideburns or a mustache, leaving a straight, professional-looking,clean-shaven edge.

Electric shavers of the type comprising a handheld unit including aself-contained electric motor which drives suitable cutting means havebecome widely accepted. Such electric shavers, particularly theoscillating cutter type, have done an exceptional job of removing facialhair. Unfortunately, electric shaves of this type are not well adaptedto trim sideburns or mustaches in a manner to produce the desiredprofessional look, and there is a need for an electric shaver which notonly performs an ordinary shaving operation but which includes as anintegral part thereof a barber type trimmer whereby complete grooming ofthe neck, nose, ears, sideburns and mustache can be accomplished.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved shaver capable of doing a complete-grooming operation suchas trimming mustaches, sideburns, long hairs, and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved trimmer associated with an electric shaver capable. ofperforming a cutting operation so as to leave a straight olean-shavenedge.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trimmerassociate-d with an oscillating type shaver whereby the trimmer cuttingedge is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the principal cuttingarea of the shaver.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds and the features ofnovelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may behad to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG.-1 is a perspective view of an electric shaver embodying the presentinvention With the comb guard removed;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of FIG. 1, partly in section butwith the comb guard in place, the portions .in section being taken online 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view looking in the directionof the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2 with the comb guard removed and certainportions broken away more clearly to illustrate the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, assuming thatFIG. 3 shows the complete structure; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line -55 of FIG. 3, again assumingthat FIG. 3 shows the complete structure.

Briefly, the present invention is concerned with an electric shaver ofthe oscillating blade type having a plurality of cutting blades drivenand supported by a common shaft, and a trimmer for trimming side-burnsor a mustache which is also driven directly from the same cutter shaftand comprising an integral part of the shaver. This trimmer functions ina manner somewhat like a barbers clippers.

In the drawings and the ensuing description the present invention hasbeen illustrated as applied to an electric shaver embodying featuresdisclosed and claimed in copending Jepson and Schuessler applicationSerial No. 109,551, filed May 12, 1961 which has matured into Patent No.3,196,539, granted July 27, 1965, copending Jepson application SerialNo. 237,239, filed November 13, 19 62 which has matured into Patent No.3,206,850, granted September 21, 1965, and copending Jepson et al.application Serial No. 322,795, filed November 12, 1963, all assigned-tothe same assignee as the present application. The features which are thesubject matter of the above-mentioned copending applications will bedescribed only sufiiciently to understand the .present invention.-

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated an electric shavergenerally designated at 10. As in the above-mentioned copending Jepsonet al. application Serial No. 322,795, the electric shaver l0comprises'a mounting chassis 11 from which an electric motor generally designatedat 12 is supported. 'This motor 12 comprises an armature -13 having anarmature shaft 14, and a field structure generally designated at 15. Thefield structure 15 is secured to the chassis 11 by means of U-shapedbail clamps 16 suitably supported by a plastic bail hanger 17. The bightportion of the U-s'ha-ped bail clamps 16, as in the above-mentionedcopending application Serial No. 322,795, supports a molded plastichanger bracket 18 which includes a pair of internally threaded mountingbosses 18a and 18b for receiving mounting screws 19.

Also as in the above-mentioned copending Jepson et al. applicationSerial No. 322,795, the armature shaft 14 is mounted in suitablebearings which are clamped to the chassis 11 by bearing retainers 20 and21 held by suitable screws 22 and 23, respectively. Preferably, a brushassembly generally designated at 25 is employed which may be identicalwith that disclosed and claimed in copending application Serial No.322,795.

For the purpose of selectively controlling the electric rnotor 12, thereis illustrated an electric switch generally designated at 27, includinga switch actuating knob 28 which is preferably identical with thatdisclosed in copending Jepson and Schuessler application Serial No.109,551 referred to above. This switch includes a suitable supportinginsulating panel 29, also suitably mounted from the chassis 11, andsupports suitable electrical terrninals 30 by means of which electricalconnection can be made through a suitable power cord, not shown.

Also associated with the chassis 11 is a cutting mechanism generallydesignated at 31 which preferably is very similar to that disclosed andclaimed in copending Jepson application Serial No. 237,239 referred toabove. The cutting mechanism 31 supported from the mounting chassis 11includes a cutter shaft '32 which is bonded adjacent either end toresilient supporting material 33a and 33b of square block configurationreceivable in upwardly directed recesses defined in integral projectionsof the mounting chassis 11, as fully described in the aforesaid Jepsoncopending application or the copending Jepson et al. application SerialNo. 322,795. Also as in the above-mentioned copending applications,there is secured to the cutter shaft 32 an arm structure comprising aplurality of supporting arms 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d. Supported by theends of the arms 35, such as 35a, 35b, 35c and 35d, are a plurality ofcutter blades such as 37. In an embodiment built in accordance with thepresent invention, five cutter blades are provided, each of which isresiliently biased by a spring such as 38 into shearing engagement withan arcuate comb 39. The blade and arm structure could be identical orvery similar to that shown in the aforementioned copending Jepson andSchuessler application.

For the purpose of drivingly connecting the cutter shaft 32 to the motor12, a suitable drive mechanism generally designated at 40 is providedwhereby rotary motion of the armature shaft 14 causes oscillation of thecutter Shaft 32.

In order to house the electric motor and all but the comb portion 39 ofthe cutting mechanism 31, there is provided a casing comprisingcup-shaped section 42 and end caps 43 and 44, respectively. As in theabove-mentioned copending Jepson et al. application Serial No. 322,795,each of the end caps 43 and 44 is provided with a suitable integralprojection 43a and 44a for holding the resilient block-s 33a and 33b,respectively, in position in the above referred to upwardly directedrecesses defined in integral projections of the mounting chassis 11. Theend cap 43, like the corresponding end cap in the abovementionedcopending Jepson and Schuessler application Serial No. 109,551, ispreferably provided with a suitable opening 43b to permit the switchactuating member 28 to project therethrough. This end cap 43, which maybe designated the switch end cap, is secured to the chassis 11, so as todefine one end of a cutting chamber, by suitable fastening means 46. Theend cap 44, designated as the clipper or trimmer end cap, on the otherhand, is secured to the mounting chassis 11 to define the other end of acutting chamber 45 by the same fastening means 23 which hold the bearingretainer 21 to the chassis 11. The comb 39, as will be understood bythose skilled in the art, is suitably held in position by comb locks 47,also disclosed in the copending applications referred to above. Theentire subassembly comprising the cutting mechanism 31, the chassis 11,the end caps 43 and 44, the motor 12, the hanger bracket 18 and the comblocks 47 is then associated with the cup-shaped casing section 42, andby means of the fastening means 19 the casing section 42 is firmlysecured to this subassembly. Casing section 42 is also preferablyprovided with a suitable opening 48 adjacent the terminals 30 so thatelectrical connection with a suitable power cord, not shown, can bemade. This casing section 42 defines a motor chamber 49 for the motor12. The arrangement described thus far forms no part of the presentinvention but is fully disclosed and claimed in the above-mentionedcopending applications.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided at one endof the shaver 10 a trimmer or clipper gene-rally designated at 50suitably associated with the clipper end cap 44. In accordance with thepresent invention, the cutter shaft 32 is provided with an extension 32aextending beyond the resilient support 33b (to the left thereof, asviewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings). This extension 32a is housed in achamber 52 defined by the clipper end cap 44. Secured to the end of theextension 32a of oscillating shaft 32 is a clipper driving lever 54.Preferably a molded nylon force transmitting member 55 is secured to thefree end of lever 54. The driving end of lever 54 and associated member55 extend into an elongated recess 56 which is connected with thechamber 52 by an opening 57.

In accordance with the present invention, there is disposed in theelongated recess 56 for reciprocal movement in the direction of thelongitudinal axis of this recess a channel or U-shaped projection 58a ofa clipper cutter 58 which has a plurality of cutting teeth 58bprojecting beyond the end cap 44, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and of thedrawings. Preferably the clipper end cap 44 is provided with a recess 59beneath the cutting teeth 58b of the cutter 58.

The U-shaped elongated channel portion 58a of the clipper cutter 58 isprovided with suitable guiding means which overlie surfaces 44b and 440(FIG. 3) defined on either side of recess 56. Channel portion 58a. isguided in its reciprocal movement by the walls of recess 56, as bestshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Channel portion 58a is alsoprovided with a central opening 6t) defined at the ends by thrustreceiving projections 58c for engaging the member 55 on the end of theclipper lever 54 whereby oscillating motion of the cutter shaft 32 willcause reciprocation of the clipper cutter 58.

In order to make cutting engagement with the clipper cutter 58, there isprovided a clipper comb 61 which is in the shape of a truncated parabolawith a plurality of teeth 61a defined across the truncated end thereof.The clipper end cap 44 is preferably provided with a recess 62 of thesame shape to receive the comb 61 in superimposed relationship over thecutter 58 and a suitable fastening means 63 holds the comb in position,the fastening means 63 being threadedly engaged with a tapped opening 64defined in the end cap 44.

To bias the clipper cutter 58 into shearing engagement with the comb 61,a plurality of coiled compression springs 65 are provided which aredisposed in a pair of spring receiving recesses 66 defined in the endcap, one of which is best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Preferablythe bight portion of channel-shaped portion 58a of the clipper cutter 58is provided with dimples or protuberances 58d receivable in the adjacentend of the compression springs 66 thereby to hold the springs 66 in apredetermined association with the clipper cutter 58.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of theshaver 10 of the present invention and particularly the trimmer portion50 thereof will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. Itwill be apparent that the common cutter shaft 32 oscillates the blades37 in shearing engagement with the comb 39, the comb extending along oneedge of a somewhat rectangular-shaped housing of a size so as to bereadily cupped in the hand of the user. The trimmer unit 50 comprises alinear cutting edge which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe comb 39. By virtue of the recess 59, the clipper projectssufficiently beyond the edge of the casing so as to be readily usable totrim mustaches, side burns and the like. In fact the trimmer 50 workssubstantially identical with a barbers clippers and makes it easy to doa complete grooming job of the neck, nose, ears and sideburns, theregular cutting portion of the shaver 10 taking care of the normalshaving operation.

To protect both the comb 39 and the trimmer portion 50, a comb guard 68may be employed which is readily attached and removed in a wellunderstood manner.

While there has been illustrated and described a particular embodimentof the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be made without departingfrom the invention in its broader aspects, and it is, therefore,contemplated in the appended claims to cover all such changes andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. An electric dry shaver comprising a generally rectangular casingdefining a handle portion with a cutting surface along one edge of saidcasing, a rotary motor supported in said casing, a cutter shaft,mounting means supporting said cutter shaft parallel to said edge foroscillating movement about its longitudinal axis, drive means connectedto said motor and engaging one end of said cutter shaft for impartingrotary oscillatory movement to said cutter shaft, cutting means definingsaid cutting surface including a perforate comb surface and a blademounted on said cutter shaft for oscillatory movement against said combsurface, clipping means disposed at a corner of said casing adjacent oneend of said cutting surface, said clipping means including a toothedcomb disposed along a line generally normal to said edge, said clippingmeans additionally including a toothed cutter mounted for reciprocalmovement while disposed in shearing relationship with said toothed comb,means including a drive lever mounted on the other end of the cuttershaft for driving said toothed cutter, a pair of spaced openings in saidcasing flanking said drive lever, protuberances on said toothed cutterover said openings, and springs mounted in said openings and engagingsaid protuberances for holding said toothed cutter against said toothedcomb.

2. An electric dry shaver comprising a generally rectangular casinghaving a handle portion and an end cap, a cutting surface along one edgeof said casing adjacent said end cap, a cutter shaft, mounting meanssupporting said cutter shaft parallel to said edge for oscillatorymovement about its longitudinal axis, cutting means including aperforate comb having a part of said cutting surface and a blade mountedon said cutter shaft for oscillatory movement adjacent said combsurface, means defining an enlarged cavity in said end cap, clippingmeans disposed on said end cap and including a toothed comb over saidcavity disposed along a line generally normal to said edge, saidclipping means including a toothed cutter mounted for reciprocalmovement between said end cap and said toothed comb, said toothed cutterincluding a recessed portion received in said cavity, a drive levermounted on said cutter shaft within said cavity and engaging saidrecessed portion for translating the oscillating movement of said cuttershaft into reciprocal movement of said toothed cutter, and tensioningmeans including spring means compressed between said end cap and saidtoothed cutter for biasing said toothed cutter against said toothedcomb.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,466 10/1943Going 3043.1 2,391,695 12/1945 Flegel 3034.1 2,797,479 7/ 1957 Jepson3043.9 2,890,522 6/ 1959 Bulova et a1. 3043.9

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,051,268 9/1953 France.

228,720 12/ 1943 Switzerland.

353,652 5/1961 Switzerland.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MYRON C. KRUSE, Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRIC DRY SHAVER COMPRISING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CASINGDEFINING A HANDLE PORTION WITH A CUTTING SURFACE ALONG ONE EDGE OF SAIDCASING, A ROTARY MOTOR SUPPORTED IN SAID CASING, A CUTTER SHAFT,MOUNTING MEANS SUPPORTING SAID CUTTER SHAFT PARALLEL TO SAID EDGE FOROSCILLATING MOVEMENT ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS, DRIVE MEANS CONNECTEDTO SAID MOTOR AND ENGAGING ONE END OF SAID CUTTER SHAFT FOR IMPARTINGROTARY OSCILLATORY MOVEMENT TO SAID CUTTER SHAFT, CUTTING MEANS DEFININGSAID CUTTING SURFACE INCLUDING A PERFORATE COMB SURFACE AND A BLADEMOUNTED ON SAID CUTTER SHAFT FOR OSCILLATORY MOVEMENT AGAINST SAID COMBSURFACE, CLIPPING MEANS DISPOSED AT A CORNER OF SAID CASING ADJACENT ONEEND OF SAID CUTTING SURFACE, SAID CLIPPING MEANS INCLUDING A TOOTHEDCOMB DISPOSED ALONG A LINE GENERALLY NORMAL TO SAID EDGE, SAID CLIPPINGMEANS ADDITIONALLY INCLUDING A TOOTHED CUTTER MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCALMOVEMENT WHILE DISPOSED IN SHEARING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID TOOTHED COMB,MEANS INCLUDING A DRIVE LEVER MOUNTED ON THE OTHER END OF THE CUTTERSHAFT FOR DRIVING SAID TOOTHED CUTTER, A PAIR OF SPACED OPENINGS IN SAIDCASING FLANKING SAID DRIVE LEVER, PROTUBERANCES ON SAID TOOTHED CUTTEROVER SAID OPENINGS, AND SPRINGS MOUNTED IN SAID OPENINGS AND ENGAGINGSAID PROTUBERANCES FOR HOLDING SAID TOOTHED CUTTER AGAINST SAID TOOTHEDCOMB.